Stop fighting, get working

PUBLISHED: 13:14 03 July 2008 | UPDATED: 07:01 30 May 2010

I have said this before and I will say it again, before this discussion can move on we must detach ourselves from politics and work together on the LDF process. I am sure the people of Elsenham and Henham are pretty fed up with all the political fighting

I have said this before and I will say it again, before this discussion can move on we must detach ourselves from politics and work together on the LDF process.

I am sure the people of Elsenham and Henham are pretty fed up with all the political fighting over housing at UDC and surely they want to see us work together to resolve both the LDF and to fight the possibility of a new town at either Elsenham or Hanley Grange, all of which has been forced on us from a very bad Government in London.

However, the last time I suggested we worked together, I was subjected to a personal attack by the LibDems so I am still doubtful that this is at all possible.

That aside, the opposition group knows full well we are against the idea of spreading the housing throughout Uttlesford without the necessary infrastructure, and so far this is the closest thing we have had from the LibDems to an alternative to our proposals (that and a new settlement at Great Chesterford, which was nothing more than a cheap shot at Cllr Rolfe) and their position has not changed since the beginning which has been unhelpful.

My suggestion to the Joint Parish Steering Group is, as the opposition is unable/unwilling to develop a positive alternative strategy to the four options that have been put forward by UDC then maybe the Joint Parish Steering Group can, in a constructive manner, investigate possible alternatives to our four options. This may mean working in partnership with Parishes currently outside of your group and of course liaising with the three political groups on Uttlesford District Council throughout the process to see what we are agreeable to. We have said from the very beginning that we are open-minded about the alternatives.

One thing is for sure, we must remain united against the idea of an eco town at either Elsenham or Hanley Grange regardless of what political party we represent.